It’s a test of not just their physical capabilities and raw talent, but also of their mental fortitude and determination. It takes a rider with the complete package and a will to improve to make it to the top of elite cycling.

The aim of the all-new EF Education–Aevolo team is to ease that transition and turn dreams into realities for the 11 riders who will form the inaugural roster of the U23 squad in 2025.

Of course, such an odyssey is a marathon, not a sprint, but with the full support of EF Pro Cycling behind them as they set sail on this exciting stage of their careers, the riders have bright futures ahead of them.

At the helm of the ship is the EF Education–Aevolo team manager Mike Creed, who has been ably assisted by the team’s head of scouting, Sebastian Langeveld.

Sebas, as he’s affectionately known within the team, is a former pro of great esteem. He has been integral in shaping the roster and culture within our new U23 project. The Dutchman retired at the end of 2022 after nine years on the team, and after a phase of directing from within the team car for the men’s WorldTour squad, the 39-year-old began to focus more and more on the recruitment of young talent.

In 2024 that led to the likes of Darren Rafferty, Markel Beloki, Lukas Nerurkar and Archie Ryan joining the men’s WorldTour team. While those riders enjoyed successful debut seasons, it became apparent that the creation of a U23 program would create the perfect bridge between riders in the junior ranks, and the ultimate destination of a WorldTour contract.

Before identifying potential riders for the roster, Sebas and the rest of the team’s management laid out the aims and the positive aspects of having a U23 team that would nurture young talent.

WorldTour teams with U23 programs are the norm nowadays but for EF Education–Aevolo it was imperative to build the right foundations and ingrain the culture from the elite environment within the U23 team.

“One of the biggest pluses when it comes to the development team is that you can have the riders from a young age because when you put riders straight to the WorldTour, even when they have amazing potential, it’s a massive step. Most riders need one or two years of development and the experience of riding for the win at the U23 level before they are ready to move up,” he told us at the team’s December camp.

“There’s a structure to the staff but there’s also lots of integration. So for example, a mechanic who goes to the Tour de France can also go with the development team to certain races. That’s great for the education of the young riders,” he added.

Rider recruitment was a lengthy and detailed process that took several months to complete. Making a list of potential candidates was just the first step but Sebas took a layered approach when it came to talent identification, looking at data analysis and lab tests, but also ensuring that there was time to talk to the riders, understand their aspirations and personalities, and of course build relationships with the athletes’ families.

“Next year we have 11 riders on the roster and it’s a really balanced team. We started signing riders back in June and we’ve put in place a good structure from the first moment. We want to provide opportunities for young riders to develop. We’re working with riders who are at the age where they are still learning and maturing, not just as athletes but as people, and this development team gives them that chance to move at the right pace. Building a list of riders isn’t hard. Yes, you need to start with names but you’re also looking for patterns in results and data analysis. But what’s equally important is talking to the riders to get a feel for what they’re like on and off the bike. It’s not only about the numbers, it’s about character,” Sebas said.

Sebas drew on his own experience as a former rider, having risen through the ranks of the Dutch cycling scene before turning pro. With a knowledgeable background on how riders can develop and what the current U23 scene is like in terms of talent spotting and recruitment, he ensured that every new rider felt the trust of EF Pro Cycling and that their futures were in good hands.

“We’re building real plans behind each rider and that not only helps the current roster but it shows to future riders that we’re creating the right environment for them to learn. We express to riders and of course, their parents that we’re going to build the right setting. I, of course, went through that process as a rider myself and talked to a lot of teams when I was younger and what I appreciated from managers and teams back then was when they were just honest and being themselves. It was really important to me when a team wanted to get to know me as a young rider, and I try and bring that to the development team now. We talk to the riders about their development and the type of riders they can be. We listen to them and we also understand that young riders learn as they go along so we give them the best support possible in terms of equipment, clothing, nutrition and help,” the former pro added.

The ultimate aim is for our U23 team to become an established pathway for aspiring young talent. However, that also means balancing the aim of generating success in the here and now while fostering young riders as they step up through the ranks and hopefully into the WorldTour.

There will be exciting times in 2025, especially with riders from EF Education–Aevolo able to race with the men’s WorldTour team at certain points in the season. Such a feature will help maintain the right pathway for our young riders. For Sebas it’s also not about just finding that one prodigal talent - it’s about creating a crop of riders with varying skill sets who can one day succeed on the biggest stage.

“This year we had a list of riders but what we wanted to ensure was that there was balance within the team. That meant bringing in a couple of older riders. Colby Simmons is a big plus to have and he saw the opportunities with us. In the future, we want to attract promising riders but we need to build a team, not just a bunch of leaders. Everyone is focusing on finding the next Tour de France winner, and we’re not different but we also want to focus on riders who could be the next sprinter, the next lead-out rider, maybe an all-rounder or someone who has the possibility of being a very solid domestique. At the same time, we want to give everyone a well-balanced race programme,” Sebas said.

“Coming into the WorldTour too early can affect a rider’s development,” he added.

For Sebas the development ranks should be based on learning - both from success and mistakes. It’s about challenging riders in the right way and at the right time in their careers, and of course, having fun too!

“It’s super important to allow the riders to develop and grow at the right pace for them. They need to take their time without the pressure of the WorldTour on them. For me it’s not just about performing, it’s about learning and enjoying the sport you love. So even if you’re a climber it’s important to test yourself and do races in Belgium for example. When you turn pro you don’t get to choose if there are cobbles in the Tour de France, so you need to be able to adapt to situations and our development team is all about that. We want to give riders the chance to experience as much as possible,” he added.